Development of an fNIRS System for BCI

Abstract

This research sets a target for developing a downsized fNIRS system for BCI. fNIRS is able to measures brain activity and functional neuroimaging using NIR (near-infrared spectroscopy). Although our laboratory has conducted experiments using a fNIRS system developed by Hitachi Medical System (ETG-7100), we have found that downsized fNIRS system, such as wearable appliances can be better adapted to BCI in cases of everyday life. Previous studies developed scaled-down fNIRS, for example one to detect hemodynamics on only the frontal lobe, and another one that had too many functions and was too expensive for BCI [1,2]. Therefore, this research will propose an fNIRS system aimed at BCI. In this paper, our fNIRS system and experimental measurement results with frontal lobe of human will be described. Finally our future research direction will be introduced based on the experimental results.